WATTS:
Do you know anyone on the list? That could help prove how popular they are if you already know them and you haven't been here long!?Oh, I hope you don't regret asking that.

To begin, I ate lunch at The 600 when I arrived in town so I met Butch Grenz before my bags were even unpacked. I felt immediately comfortable because the food there has such a "home-made" quality - plus Butch gave me a hearty "welcome to town" greeting. So I can attest that both he and his business are great ambassadors for the Miles City.
Unfortuately, my arrival wasn't soon enough to meet Johnnie Lee Thomas - she died shortly after I got here. But I was so impresssed by the testimonial I read in
the Star about her amazing life that I attended her funeral service just to learn more about her - which made me wish I'd gotten here sooner so I could have seen her in action. What a fine, fine lady!
I have had the pleasure of getting to know (a little bit) another woman who has led an amazing life -- the remarkable centegenarian Elsie Fox. I don't know how popular she is in town - although she's so sweet she should be. But on the notable scale, her life ranks right up there with the best and brightest. So, I would add her to your list.
I admired Gene Larson's drawings around town for months after getting here but didn't meet him until recently - I was thrilled!
As for people I have heard about but haven't met, those would include
Dave Thompson (I'm sure I would have met him had I purchased fireworks or a Christmas tree this past year).
Oh yes - Rob Shipley. While I haven't met him personally yet, I have certainly driven by and marveled at his claim to fame. Plus, he christened me with my very own milescity.com moniker - so I guess you could say I'm familiar with him ~ and him with me.
Speaking of which, I had the pleasure of meeting Ike Eichler the other day. Ike made a special effort to come by my office and introduce himself. It was a brave and "big" thing for him to do. I was impressed and we shook hands - Israel and Palestine could learn a thing or two from Ike. Since there is an Eichler Street in town, I suppose he (or at least his family) is pretty well known around these parts - so I'd like to add him to this list.
So, there you have it - the newcomer's perspective.
[This message has been edited by Steve Craddock (edited 1/29/2009).]